On 30 Dec 1915 the SS Persia was torpedoed near Crete without warning by the German U-boat U-38, commanded by Max Valentiner. It sank in five to ten minutes, killing 343 of the 519 aboard.

John Douglas-Scott-Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu (age 49) survived. His mistress Eleanor Thornton (age 35) drowned.